To help you tackle any home organization project, we enlisted the help of professional organizing expert Rachel Rosenthal. Whether you’re finally hoping to get your closet organized or you really need to clean out those kitchen cabinets, these tips can help you get there. Here’s how to organize nearly anything in your home. Sure, a complicated closet system or shoe storage plan sounds nice in theory, but if your family really just needs a basket by the back door for shoes, then it’s better to keep it simple. It’s easy to wonder if you may wear that prom dress again one day (spoiler alert: you won’t), but a well-organized home requires a reality check on everything you own. “Block off times in your schedule for everything from working out to grocery shopping to even laundry,” she says. “Try to be strict with your schedule and get tasks done when you say you will to avoid feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.” For mail, Rosenthal suggests you add a paper drop zone near your front door for items such as bills, RSVPs, magazines, and more. Consider a few vertical files, separated by urgency: one for must-reads, one for magazines and cards, and another to be shredded or organized in the office. This way, you are one step closer to organizing those papers, but it’s simple enough that you can stick with it when you walk in the door. Consider a drop zone anywhere you have an intricate organization system that takes a bit of time to keep up with. A basket for to-be-sorted clothes or a bin for books that need re-organizing can help you avoid cluttered surfaces. “If you have extra floor space, consider adding storage ottomans,” she says. “Vertical shelving or plastic drawers keep anything from extra clothing to snacks controlled and contained.”
